In addition, full-back Adam Drury, who had his testimonial match against Celtic last week, has been made a contract offer which he is considering.

Fox, Ward and Jackson all signed for City in the summer of 2010 and played key roles in winning promotion from the Championship and finishing 12th in the Premier League.

Midfielder Korey Smith, who was on loan at Barnsley last season, is also staying at Carrow Road, while defender George Francomb has signed a new deal after spending the second half of the season on loan at Hibernian.

The Premier League professional retained list shows the Canaries with 26 contracted players, plus Drury.

Defender Zak Whitbread and striker Aaron Wilbraham have been released, along with Josh Dawkin, Matt Ball and Richard Brindley.

Dirk Kuyt over the hill at 31 and off to Turkey (well known for their top level club footie) and Holt still in his prime, I think not. A contract up to 33 is as much as anyone could expect. Even Man U. give the oldies a one year at a time extension.

Colin, we got Ward on a "Free" from Coventry, I think. There`s the wages though, I suppose. Funny, in his first game back v Swansea, he played excellently, he really did....... (must stop that now!) but had stinkers, particularly v Liverpool & Stoke. I thought he looked fine in Champ, played 40-odd games.

If Roy Hodgson had picked Holt for England this summer we wouldn't be reading all this nonsense about transfer requests and contract extensions. By leaving Holt behind the guy has reacted and his club have taken the brunt of his frustration. Come on Holty, get your head back on, we need you banging them in season and showing Hodgson that he made the wrong decision. OTBC

I'm a brilliant attacking midfielder Timbo. Excellent playing just behind the main striker and linking play up. Hoolahan plays a bit like me, but I'm quite a bit stronger and I tend to be more accurate with my passes. I could have turned pro but decided against it. Cheers. Ged - Legend

Releasing Whitbread was all part of a master plan hatched in the final weeks of the season. He is now a Free agent to go where he gets the best offer. If he has any savvy, that won't be Aston Villa.
Mr McNally you must have his telephone number. Give him a call and suggest he returns into the fold. He will know it makes sense and any new manager will be pleased you did this on his behalf.

Aaaaah,so old ged steroo has finally said something,About as positive as a -answers on a postcard to fantasy island auditions. Ho-Hum never mind, Meanwhile in the real world some good news,Fox extended,and Drury given a new offer; he is still a good reliable player and left footed and worth his squad place.
Back in 2009 in CO postcode land the locals thought a Shrewsbury centre forward was about to sign for them only for him to join NCFC.He was then joined by the manager who was going to but him.Funny how things turn out isnt it

Where's your midfield Timbo? I always had a good toe punt on me!! Ged seems to have revealed another part of the deluded psyche. His frustrations at always being the last kid to get picked make perfect sense out of the deluded nature of his comments (Yes I know I used the word deluded twice, but couldn't think of a better word to write about Ged - can anyone help out??).

From what I understand Whitbread wanted too much money and with his injury record PL didnt want to gamble on him. Holt only signed a new contract last year, he knows the club deal with out of contract players first, then players with one year remaining, then lastly talking to players who wanted to discuss new terms. Also just now heard, West ham have made 2 bids for Grant Holt, not for £4M but for low amounts, which we have of course rejected

If Holt wants to go, let him go, but at the right price. He might find things a little more difficult at another Premiership club. Also I wonder if Culverhouse and co have grown a pair, or will they be going too?

Yes, retrieve Whitbread! If he ends up at Villa, Lambert will achieve full Judas status in my reckoning. He looks a shoo-in for West Ham, what with Ledley King`s likely retirement. But if Villa get him on a free....... Ref deluded, Preston. How about deranged, depraved, deprived, derisory, dipstick, Sad B*****d. Not all adjectives, I know....

So like many others, I am also wondering if we will get an answer as to why Whitbread was released when the vast majority of City fans rate him as our best CB last season, especially given he was released by Lambert when the latter appeared to have both feet out the door already. We could do with an answer or preferably a decision reversal. At the moment there is a large sour taste and smell here.

Lobbo, we've seen it before..a weak attempt by the mods to spark a reaction from Rob Steroo's comments. Best if everyone ignore GedRob Steroo. If you want to see how dull he really is, go to the green un board and take a look...lol
Back to real matters...... As others have commented, McNally has taken the step himself to extend the players contracts, in an attempt to "steady the ship". Personally I think it's a good move. Finding the right manager could take several weeks and there's nothing worse than having a handful of the squad waiting about wondering whether they are staying or going. As time pass they would become increasingly frustrated, only adding to the turmoil. McNally has made the right move in my eyes, he's thinking ahead and looking after the club. Now...if he would just give Whitbread a call and get him back at Carrow!! OTBC!

So, do we, I wonder, get an answer at any stage as to why Whitbread was let go, when the vast majority of City supporters rate him as our best CB last season. It certainly seems wrong for Lambert to be releasing him when it would appear he already had both his own feet out the door.We could do with a response on this.

Part of the problem with Ward this season was that he came into the team late on when everyone else had managed to get up to speed with the pace of the PL. He didn't have that luxury. He was excellent in the Championship. Lets hope he gets a good pre season and starts being that commanding CB we have been missing.

Timbo, my best position is left right back in the dressing room! Ref contracts, I think it was right to sort it straightaway, bring an iota of stability back. Also Lambo will have to pay for Tierney if he wants him....... Now mend the Holt rift and move on. OTBC. ILWTTHDWRF..L

Grant Holt - Retained. I don't think so McNally. It should read: Journeyman Striker - Too good for City. Nevermind people, when he told me he was leaving I was a bit disappointed too, but I soon got used to it (sorry I couldn't tell you at the time, but I couldn't betray Grant's trust). Anyway we're now looking for a new ManagerCentre Forward combo and I know who the first choices are (my insider at the club has told me), we are unlikely to get our first choice manager, due to the club's financial situation, we may have to got for the 3rd or 4th choice, where compensation isn't required. But we'll be getting our first choice striker, he's in the mould of Grant, big and strong, but he doesn't score many goals. At least he's cheap though!! I'll let you know more as I hear anything. All the best Ged - In the know.

I think you`re right there, Preston. We shouldn`t write "Titch" off yet. I cannot believe he`s only 6` 1" tall. Perhaps he`ll get "Small Man Syndrome" (SMS) from McGnarly next? At one time W. Ham were interested in buying EW back from Coventry with a reported offer of £2.5 million. I don`t think he would`ve been thrown in at the deep end so quickly and so often had it not been for injuries to Ayala and, inevitably, Whitbread. He was preferred to Barnett, though I wonder if Barny will be sold if a decent offer comes in? LB seemed to play better when alongside Russell Martin. In fact all the other CBs did. There`s a calmer Karma about McCafu.

Get Grant back on board, extend his contract and pay him more. What will he be by the end of that extended contract 34ish, K Davies and Drogba!!! Ok Mr McNally you could even make performance related so long as it sensible, ie prem status 2013 - 14 etc. Grant would deliver.

I agree canaryjon. The club is an utter shambles. McWally is to blame and should be the next rat to leave our sinking ship. I can see another stint in the 3rd Division in the not to distant future if we don't sort this mess out very quickly. Clubs a joke. Ged - Fan Leader.

I understand your point Canaryjohn but this looks like "steadying the ship" and that sounds like a good move at the moment. Grant Holt is "retained", because he has not been let go, however, the GH saga is not over yet. Better get to the gym, match fit by August will be a challenge, I am over 33 but would not need 15K a week. Like others, I don't get the WhitbredWard situation but what do I know?

Why are these decisions being made before a new manager comes in. Normally any activity is put on hold until the new man is in place.The next thing you know we will be doing "a Chelsea" and buying players while without a manager

Ged, welcome back, we have missed you !Surely you must be in with a shot as manager, what with your inside connections, wit and rapartee ? I reckon they'd give you a good bonus if you could get us relegated first season too - way to go !!

good point ads76. Thing is, Drury had zero left on his contract so something had to be offered (or not). Holt has 2 years left. Maybe a similar thing would`ve happened for him when he`s 33? Or maybe earlier? Anyway,with what`s happened re the manager, you cannot help thinking that Holty is looking for an "out". Terribly insensitive timing, too, wrt Adam`s Testimonial.